Day 4 - 76 -- Family Histories

Today began and ended with an hour or so of sun with blue sky and white clouds. The majority of the day was overcast and greyish. Being indoors much of the day, this didn't really have a major impact on me. Seminar and meetings occurred in windowless rooms, so the greyness couldn't be seen. A few people wore subdued green today, St. Patrick's Day. I chose a Rider green neck warmer when outside in the cooler air -- something I generally wear when shoveling snow, but wore into work today. The work day saw wonderful student presentations and a productive group meeting. Several smaller tasks from the pile on my desk were completed, still leaving a couple of larger ones to be done over the weekend -- grading and writing for looming deadlines.

Being of largely Irish descent, for me this annual celebration day has been rather low key. It is a time to reflect on the ancestors who chose to emigrate to Canada, where one branch of the family has remained since the 1840s.  One brother and a widowed sister-in-law landed in Canada, while two older brothers entered the United States. Just over 20 years later, there were family members on both sides of the war between the States. We've found streets, buildings and towns named for ancestors and even found mention of a horse thief in the early Dakotas. In Canada, the family moved westward during those first few decades, with my direct branch settling in Saskatchewan and then spreading across Canada and into the US midwest and Pacific northwest. Family histories are intriguing. Often the many stories become partially lost as parts are altered or embellished with time. There is a lot to be said for oral histories or simple written family stories. It is a major undertaking, though, so isn't done as often as if could -- or maybe should -- be. I've had good intentions, but things seem not to materialize as I'd hoped. Of course, even if I were to get my part moving, it would require much time from others, which can be an imposition. It is something that I continue to ponder how best to approach. I have many ideas, just a shortage of time at present. This is on the larger long term 'to do' list <smile>

A friend shared a short video today with music for St. Patrick's Day. It seems to play on the theme "everybody is Irish on this day" -- albeit with a very humorous outcome. Enjoy!

Danny Boy -- The Muppets